Winter is coming.
Okay, it’s technically spring, but in any case, the wait is finally over. Season six of Game Of Thrones is returning this weekend, and there’s only one question that’s being whispered throughout the Seven Kingdoms. Will he return? What’s it going to be like? And has an eventful campaign beyond The Wall changed him?
We’re clearly talking about Hodor.
To mark the return of the world’s most beloved show, we’ve decided to power rank the 15 best characters on our ladder of chaos. Let us know if you agree/disagree, or who you might want to see on the list.
Side note: just like bringing peace to Westeros, this task was literally impossible.
15) Ned Stark
In three words: Honourable, brave, headless.
The North Remembers: The scene from the very first episode where he beheads a deserter from the Night’s Watch. We can clearly see that he’s a man that values integrity, strength, and family. Without him, it’s very likely that the Stark children wouldn’t have had such a strict set of core values.
Ned’s fate is also an indication of the what’s in store for the rest of the show – honour rarely survives when playing the Game of Thrones.
Weakness: He’s hopelessly naive in his dealings with the conspirators, traitors, and schemers in King’s Landing.
14) Ramsay Bolton
In three words: Sadistic, evil, bastard.
The North Remembers: We first get a glimpse of what he’s capable of when he captures Theon before torturing him, both mentally and physically, to the point where he no longer accepts his own identity.
Ramsay reeks of the traits of the very worst tyrants in Westeros, but the relationship that he has with his father Roose Bolton is intriguing, especially because Iwan Rheon and Michael McElhatton are so good together on screen.
He’s an unhinged villain that’s capable of doing anything.
Weakness: Can become blinded by rage and bloodlust. A desire to prove his worth to his father can also see him become reckless. His status as a bastard has also given him a serious chip on his shoulder.
13) Oberyn Martell
In three words: Lover, fighter, vengeful.
The North Remembers: The Red Viper of Dorne vs The Mountain. What else could it be?
Weakness: The very definition of pride before the fall. See, showboating gets you nowhere.
12) Ser Davos Seaworth
In three words: Noble, decent, fair.
The North Remembers: In a world of betrayal, death and power, what chance does a decent man have? We all know that any character with even 1 per cent of decency has even less chances of survival, but ‘The Onion Knight’ is the rare exception. He was the one person that had the balls to disobey Stannis by sending Gendry away to safer pastures – we wonder if Robert Baratheon’s bastard is still on that boat though? Davos also has a soft spot for castaways like Jon and Princess Shireen.
Let’s get one thing clear though: he can also kick ass and is well capable of looking after himself. What else would you expect from a character that’s played by the uber-cool Liam Cunningham?
Weakness: We all know what happens to decent men in The North.
11) Tywin Lannister
In three words: Calculated, brutal, dominant.
The North Remembers: Every character is vying to sit on the Iron Throne, but here’s a controversial statement: the head of the Lannister family was the only person that’s proved themselves worthy of ruling Westeros.
He had that ruthless mix of brains, brawn, political nous, ruthlessness and foresight to become King. This line to Joffrey perfectly sums him up.
Weakness: For a clever man, he was remarkably blind to the messed-up relationships that existed in his own family. Still though, can’t he use the bathroom in peace?
10) Bronn
In three words: Clever, pragmatic, mercenary.
The North Remembers: Any scene when he’s travelling with Tyrion is absolute gold, but we’ve opted for the moment when the duo crashed Joffrey’s sadistic torture of Sansa in the Great Hall. Cast your mind back, the bastard king was about to strike his fiancée before Tyrion interjected.
Tyrion asked his bodyguard if getting married would ease his nephew’s sadistic streak. Bronn’s answer? “There’s no cure for being a c**t”. Gold.
Weakness: He’s still alive so he’s obviously doing something right. Let’s say though that he has a dangerous passion for women, drinking and fighting. One of them is bound to get him in trouble.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnpGe3WNKzo
Clip via – Danielledaydreamer
9) Jaime Lannister
In three words: Conflicted, Kingslayer, fighter.
The North Remembers: Jaime is such an intriguing character because, to be honest, we all hated him until that time spent in captivity and travelling with Brienne absolutely changed our perceptions of the Oathbreaker. We’re extremely curious to see where his character goes in Season 6, but despite his admirable qualities, there’s no denying the blood on his hand or the incestuous relationship with Cersei. Can a man redeem himself in Westeros?
Never forget that he did this though.
Weakness: Fighting with one hand has diminished his reputation as the finest swordsman in the realm, and we’ve also got a feeling that his close ties with Tyrion could be detrimental.
8) Littlefinger
In three words: Cleverest, man, alive.
The North Remembers: Best summed up in one quote,“Always keep your foes confused. If they are never certain who you are or what you want, they cannot know what you are like to do next. Sometimes the best way to baffle them is to make moves that have no purpose, or even seem to work against you. Remember that, Sansa, when you come to play the game.”
Without a doubt, he’s the most intriguing character in the show because NOBODY knows what he has planned. The moment when the two of the sharpest minds in Westeros met on the steps of the Iron Throne is like the best game of political chess that you’ll see.
Weakness: He’s smart and devious, but will his long-term infatuation with Catelyn Tully/Stark prove to be his only weakness?
7) Daenerys Targareyn
In three words: Mother, of, Dragons.
The North Remembers: Her arc has simultaneously been one of the strongest and most boring in the books/show because she started out with absolutely nothing – bar those three dragons eggs – but has become a main contender for the Iron Throne.
Dany seems committed to ending tyranny, slavery and “breaking the wheel”, but despite her burgeoning status and military numbers, she still has plenty to learn about leading. This being said, with Drogon, Viserion and Rhaegal by her side, we expect her to cross The Narrow Sea very soon. Dracarys!
Weakness: She’s still massively inexperienced when it comes to leading, and has a tendency to follow the advice of those around her.
6) Cersei Lannister
In three words: Fierce, resolute, motherly.
The North Remembers: In a show that’s predominantly filled with male characters, it’s vitally important that the females are not 2D, or pushed to the boundaries. Thank god then that we’re treated to some of the strongest women in TV on Game Of Thrones with Brienne of Tarth, Olenna Tyrell and Catelyn Stark all able to look after themselves.
Don’t cross the Queen Regent because she’s a sheer force of nature that’s prepared to burn cities to the ground to protect her family. Ned Stark knows this better than most.
Weakness: As a Lannister, she’s bound to have enemies everywhere, but her inability to compromise makes things even worse. This is the source of her greatest asset and weakness.
5) Arya Stark
In three words: Vengeful, dedicated, resourceful.
The North Remembers: Arya’s one of the most interesting characters in the show because she’s a child that’s gradually losing all respect for human life — a six season tragedy that’s just getting darker and darker.
Hanging out with The Hound had a profound effect on her vengeful outlook, but will any remnants of the tomboy that we met in Winterfell remain after her training with the Faceless Men?
Meryn Trant might have an opinion on that.
Weakness: The impetuousness of youth.
4) Joffrey Baratheon
In three words: Love, to, hate.
The North Remembers: Has their ever been a better villain on TV? This snivelling, psychotic inbred bastard has done all of the following:
Ordered Ned Stark to be killed while gleefully watching on as his fiancée Sansa was beaten and abused. Oh yeah, he also asked for children to be murdered.
All this without even mentioning his infatuation with murdering prostitutes or defying/insulting his own family at every turn. His most memorable moment? The decision that sparked war in The North.
Weakness: It’s not easy being the king, but it’s even harder when you make enemies at every turn.
3) The Hound
In three words: Fighting, swearing, drinking.
The North Remembers: The incredibly brutal fight with Brienne was stunning, but we’ve opted for one of the greatest bar scenes in TV and film history. “I understand that if any more words come pouring out your c**t mouth I’m going to have to eat every f*****g chicken in this room”. Do you know what? He did…after murdering every single soldier there.
Weakness: He probably never saw a fight where he didn’t feel compelled to draw his sword.
We also loved the sheer hatred in his voice when he delivered this line.
2) Tyrion Lannister
In three words: Shrewd, charismatic and intelligent.
The North Remembers: Fans of the show will know that the Lannisters are disliked by everyone outside of Casterly Rock, but Tyrion’s intriguing because he’s also despised by his own family.
Blamed for his mother’s death, ostracised by society for being a dwarf and labelled as a degenerate due to his fondness for wine and brothels, you would be forgiven for thinking that he has little bearing on who will sit on the Iron Throne.
Maybe that’s why he has such fondness for wine and brothels?
While everyone else is swinging swords and falling into treacherous political traps, he was studying how the politics of Westeros works and what’s required to not only lead but inspire.
Tyrion is what Westeros needs because he has the perfect mix of idealism and pragmatism. His comebacks and one-liners are sharper than any sword, and his defence from Stannis’ attack on King’s Landing has shown that he’s an astute tactical thinker that’s capable of inspiring the men around him.
Weakness: His physical height and surname will always be used against him, but in his own words, “never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armour, and it can never be used to hurt you”.
This scene still gives us goosebumps.
1) Jon Snow
In three words: Leader, of, men.
The North Remembers: We’ve always had a strong bond with the 998th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch because he’s constantly being asked to prove himself. Being a bastard, he was born into a family that never fully accepted him – just look at the contempt that Catelyn shows him in the very first few episodes.
Some characters might buckle under the weight of this underdog status, but Jon did the exact opposite. He did what all strong people do: use contempt and turn it into motivation.
Jon’s brave, tough, and loyal, and despite his young age/ inexperience, he has an aura that instantly commands respect and devotion from those around him, just like Ned.
Unlike the other members of the Starks, though, Jon’s a pragmatist that’s not blinded by vengeance – he ultimately stayed in the Night’s Watch and withheld his oaths rather than pursue the Lannisters after Ned’s death – but he also has an eye on the bigger picture.
The most admirable part of Jon’s persona is that he’s not afraid to shy away from making tough decisions. When The Wall was under siege from the Wildlings, he was the man that took control and rallied his Night’s Watch brothers while Janos Slynt was cowering in the cellar. He had the foresight to instantly make peace with them because he knew that The Long Night is coming.
It’s not coincidence that Stannis, Mance Rayder, Melisandre, Maester Aemon and Ser Davos all see greatness in Jon.
His bravery during the defence of The Wall paled in comparison though to the best 30 minutes of TV that you’ll ever see, the siege on Hardhome.
Truth be told, he’s the only man that’s capable of leading the realms of men in the upcoming war against the undead.
Weakness: How are his resurrection skills?
There you have it. Trust us when we say that picking our favourite 15 characters was incredibly. Take a look at who we left out;
The Mountain, Sansa Stark, The Night’s King, Brienne of Tarth, Margaery Tyrell, Samwell Tarly, Melisandre, Brann Stark, Olenna Tyrell, Mance Rayder, Stannis Baratheon, Roose Bolton, Walder Frey and this man, the only person that’s truly worthy of ruling Westeros.
Hodor
In three words: Hodor, Hodor, Hodor.
The North Remembers: Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor.
Weakness: Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor, Hodor.
